LOIS Dunchue's inspirational letter on the drought relief volunteers (``Blessed are the volunteers'', WT, September 2) was humbling.

The compassionate, hard-working rural volunteers - the oldest being 82 -  assist more than 10,500 struggling families in need of financial advice, emotional support and fall-out assistance.

The Rural Care Link deserves to win the Australian Rural and Outback Awards.

Caring for those in need is the way of rural life.

Sarah and Danny Kennedy, East Gipsland dairy farmers